Posted By Equipment World Staff On August 4, 2012 @ 7:25 am In Construction News | No Comments

Construction employment declined in 162 out of 337 metropolitan areas between June 2011 and June 2012, increased in 127 and stayed stagnant in 48, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America[1].

Association officials said construction employment declined or remained unchanged in most metro areas as the public sector continued to cut back on investments in new construction and infrastructure and economic growth slowed.

The largest job losses were in Chicago, Joliet and Naperville, Illinois, with the loss of 5,600 jobs, a 5 percent decrease; followed by New York City’s loss of 5,500 jobs, also a 5 percent decrease; New Orleans, Metairie and Kenner, Louisiana’s loss of 5,100 jobs, a 16 percent decrease; Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater, Florida’s loss of 4,800 jobs, a 9 percent decrease; and Nassau and Suffolk, New York’s loss of 4,700 jobs, a 7 percent decrease.

Bakersfield and Delano, California added the highest percentage of new construction jobs at 23 percent, an addition of 3,300 jobs; followed by Fargo, North Dakota and Minnesota, which both experienced a 17 percent, or 1,200-job, increase; Knoxville, Tennessee at a 16 percent, or 2,700-job, increase; and Washington, D.C. with a 16 percent, or 1,900-job, increase.

Houston, Sugar Land and Baytown, Texas added the most jobs with a 4 percent, or 7,500-job, increase. Other areas adding a large number of jobs included Los Angeles, Long Beach and Glendale, California with 6,200 jobs, a 6 percent increase; Phoenix, Mesa and Glendale, Arizona with 6,200 jobs, a 7 percent increase; Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana with 5,400 jobs, a 13 percent increase; and Baton Rouge, Louisiana with 5,200 jobs, a 14 percent increase.